競泳

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 競泳 (きょうえい) is a noun for competitive swimming in which swimmers race over a set distance.
• Basic usage: It appears when entering a swim meet or describing a competitive swimmer.
  • 兄は学校の競泳大会に出場した。 — My older brother entered the school's swimming competition.
  • 競泳選手が力強く壁を蹴った。 — The swimmer kicked forcefully off the wall.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Competitive and general swimming
  • 競泳 focuses on swimming as a timed competitive event, while 水泳 more broadly names swimming as an activity or exercise.